New roadmap to enhance SL handloom competitiveness
The National Level Task Force (NLTF) formed on a high priority basis on December 22 for the development of the country’s handloom sector, has begun work on the industry’s future roadmap.
The new national level project is expected to deliver value and professional structure to Sri Lanka’s $ 13 Mn and growing handlooms sector. “This effort will bring in Ceylon Handlooms brand to the international markets and also upgrade and modernize to attract more youth to the industry. More importantly, this is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce with various stakeholders such as the private, cooperative and provincial council level industries and the Universities,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen.
Minister Bathiudeen made this announcement in the aftermath of the in-depth, follow up discussion and presentations held yesterday after the pioneering meet of the high level taskforce on December 22 at the Ministry. During the January 10 sessions, representatives from the USAID, National Entrepreneurs Development Authority (NEDA), University of Moratuwa, Export Development Board, Department of Textiles, Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel, and reps from private sector handloom manufacturers, started work on the future industry roadmap of the promising Sri Lankan handlooms sector.
The stakeholders present reached consensus on the need for branding of country’s handlooms based on its unique iden- tity characteristics and also on the needs of high end international niches.
“We want to become the most sought after destination for niche handloom products,” the Minister said.
Currently, the country’s handlooms, in addition to the domestic market, are absorbed by Italy, Maldives, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Thailand, Netherlands and Norway. According to the Exports Development Board (EDB), the handloom exports valued $ 0.90 Mn in 2009 rose in 2010 to $ 1.5 Mn and in January-october 2011, stood at $ 1.17 Mn. EDB expects the handloom exports to hit $ 2.24 Mn in 2015.The handloom textile export target for 2011 set by the EDB under the Ministry of Industries is US $ 1.29 million (Rs 146 million).